Sir Ian McKellen Backs Bolton Pride As He Speaks About His Youth
July 28, 2022As Bolton prepares for it's weekend of Pride events, Sir Ian McKellen has said how he wishes there had been a Pride celebration in the town when he was growing up.
The actor, who attended Bolton School, wishes he could attend Bolton Pride 2022. He attended the first Bolton Pride in 2015.
Sir Ian told The Bolton News: “How I wish there had been a Pride celebration in Bolton when I was growing up there 70 years ago and felt I was the only gay boy in town. Isolation because of one’s sexuality is a miserably confusing state.
“Anyone feeling like that should watch the 2022 Pride parade pass by and see the thousands of gay Boltonians and their friends, at ease with themselves, bringing a special joy to their hometown.
“I wish I could be there to join in the fun but send my best wishes to the organizers and everyone else involved.”
Now returning after two years because of Covid-19, Bolton Pride's organizers are billing it as bigger and better than ever.
This year’s celebrations mark the 50th anniversary of Pride in the UK. Associate Director of Communications and Campaigns at Stonewall Sasha Misra admits attitudes are getting better, she hopes the anniversary can serve as another reminder that there is still plenty of work to be done.
She said: “Pride is a celebration LGBTQ+ lives and, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first pride march, a symbol how far LGBTQ+ rights have come over the past five decades. YouGov polling shows more than seven in ten Brits now support LGBTQ+ people, something that would have been unthinkable even a decade ago.
“But, despite this, we can’t be complacent – we are still being attacked by our media and in our politics, and our hard-won rights are at risk. That’s why the silent majority must take meaningful action to support LGBTQ+ people.
“From a school implementing an inclusive curriculum to writing to your MP calling for an inclusive conversion therapy ban, there’s so many ways for everyone to support LGBTQ+ people.
“This pride season, we can all fight for a world where our communities are free to be ourselves.”
The celebrations for Bolton Pride start with a launch party from 7 p.m. at The Vaults Bar on Friday, August 4. Events will carry on through the weekend until Sunday's family fun day.
Read related myGwork articles here:
Sir Ian McKellen Urges Queer Community To Stand Up For Trans Rights
Sir Ian McKellen Apologises for Suggesting Abuse by Spacey and Singer Was Because They Were Closeted
Sir Ian McKellen Talks Candidly About Hollywood Sexual Abuse Scandals
Sir Patrick Stewart Shares Kiss With Sir Ian McKellen At Star Trek: Picard’s London Premier
Keep up to date with the latest myGnews